Marriage
One of the most remarkable initiative challenges of the 21st Century has been the legalization of gay marriage in the United States. Thirty-one states in America have brought the issue to the ballot, and thirty-one times voters have rejected legalization of gay marriage. A total of 44 states have placed either constitutional amendments or other statutes on the books upholding traditional marriage. With the recent addition of the District of Columbia, six U.S. states now allow gay marriage and state-recognized benefits.
Still, gay activists argue that the institution of marriage is a civil right not a sacred institution. Voters in America thus far, see it differently. Every time the issue has been on the ballot, it has failed. The most recent battle was the State of Maine, where traditional marriage was upheld after a nasty ground-fight, 53% to 47%. The very same outcome resulted in 2008, in the contentious California Protect Marriage battle.
Why do U.S. voters keep opposing gay marriage?
National polls reflect the desire of most Americans to extend basic rights to gay couples, but gay activists have signaled that their agendas might be bigger. Organizations like the National Center for Lesbian Rights and The Human Rights Campaign desire to see the words, “between a man and a woman” simply stricken from national and state statutes.
Erasing those simple words, “between a man and a woman” redefines marriage for everyone, not just for gay couples. Especially, the absence of those words affect the fate of children, who most agree, should not be separated form any legal discussion of marriage.
In states where gay marriage has been legalized and no distinctions are made in marriage, as in Massachusetts for instance, gay activists have used the law as a pathway to introduce gay education into elementary schools. Story books featuring princes marrying princes have been introduced during 2nd grade story time sessions. Kindergartners have received goody bags with information and stories about gay life. Transsexuals have guested in 2nd grade classrooms to speak about “identity. “ This, with no notice or consent from parents.
One of the most amazing examples of over-stepping by gay activists occurred last year in Oakland, California. In the Hayward Unified School District, a kindergarten teacher passed out “pledge cards” to her class of five year olds requiring them to sign their names pledging support to “gays, lesbians, bisexual and transgender” adults. Painfully obvious when examining one of the cards is that five year olds were not only too young to understand the subject, but they were barely old enough to scrawl their names on the cards.
This classroom exercise was conducted as part of “Coming Out Week” at the school, violating every right of public school parents for notice and consent, and violating the rights of the kindergarteners….to be kids.
Repeated polling in the United States has demonstrated that Americans do not wish to hurt anyone. The majority of Americans actually support provisions in the law which extend all compassionate rights, economic rights, and indeed, equal rights to gay couples. Americans simply want the cherished definition of marriage to be preserved in modern times with the same distinctions and sacred rights acknowledged for thousands of years.
The next stage for this cultural battle? The Supreme Court. This is why Americans will see unprecedented amounts of money backing democratic senate candidates throughout the country. All pathways lead to the Supreme Court. All races could impact the 2010 presidential election, which will decide which party is in control if aging supreme justices decide to throw in the towel. So all eyes will be on the balance of power in the Senate, and on the federal trial in California.
Also on the table is The Defense of Marriage Act, passed by Congress during the Clinton administration. DOMA authorizes states to enact legislation withholding recognition of same sex marriages performed in other states. Gay advocates are insisting President Obama lead the way and encourage Congress to overturn this law. The President is hopelessly wedged between wealthy gay donors who vigorously supported his election, and the firm opposition of gay marriage from the African American community.
Women who understand that traditional marriage is the bedrock of this country, need to be ready to organize so that their conservative voices can be heard on this crucial issue. It is also important to seek candidates who will stand up for marriage and other cherished traditions of America. Fortunately, thanks to huge wins by traditional voters in California, Maine, Arizona, and Florida, many pro-marriage candidates are coming forward. Fair-minded Americans do not oppose extending rights to gay and lesbian couples. They oppose rewriting the history of the world.
What would be helpful in the discussion of gay sexuality in our culture, is more information. Families everywhere are confronting the issue. Therapists, educators, government officials, doctors and clergymen need information and want to have a better understanding of gay life. Hopefully, that constructive step is not far away.
